Governor John Bel Edwards proposes adding one-cent to the state’s existing four-cent sales tax as a way to address a 750-million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year. Edwards will also provide lawmakers with other options as a way to raise revenue quickly and they include a higher telecommunications tax on all telephones and another increase to the cigarette tax

cut 4 (09) “menu of options”

Edwards plans to call a three-week special session starting on February 14th.

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state. The report, The True Cost of Smoking By State, finds one resident in Louisiana spends about $24,000 a year in smoking-related costs. WalletHub spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says it’s based on societal and economic factors…:

cut 7 (05) “on cigarettes”

US Congressman Ralph Abraham is not happy with the Department of Veteran Affair’s appointment of Skye McDougall, who was involved in the VA scandal, to lead health care operations in Louisiana and Mississippi. McDougall was originally appointed to a position in Phoenix, but after Senator John McCain objected, she was appointed to her current position. Abraham says the VA should not use Louisiana as a place to deposit unwanted employees.

cut 14 (11) “of the country”

Abraham says McDougall’s appointment is another example of how the VA is more concerned with protecting high-level bureaucrats than caring for veterans.